HORSETOBER Celebrates Human-Horse Bond Through Video and Challenges

For many people, connecting with a horse can feel like reconnecting with themselves. Horses offer a unique, nonjudgmental connection that can create space to build trust, explore past experiences, develop new ways of relating, and find grounding in the present moment. Through personal stories and reflections, the new video explores why horses can play a meaningful role in mental health services and the lasting impact these experiences can have on people’s lives.

The video is part of HMH’s ongoing mission to raise awareness of the role horses can play in mental health and wellbeing and to expand awareness and access to professional programs incorporating horses into mental health services.

Watch the new video: “Why Horses in Mental Health Services?”

Running October 1-31, HORSETOBER™ invites horse lovers everywhere to participate in the #PassTheBraid challenge, using a braid as a symbol of connection, relationships, and the strength that comes from weaving our stories together. Participants are encouraged to spend meaningful time with a horse, create a braid, and share their story through photos or videos using #HORSETOBER and #PassTheBraid, while nominating others to join. Throughout October, weekly challenges, creative activities, and prize giveaways offer additional opportunities to celebrate connection, spread awareness, and uplift the horse community.

Global Ambassadors Share Their Stories

HORSETOBER also features a growing collection of videos from global ambassadors sharing their personal connections with horses. Additional contributions throughout October include Josie Strand, Nordic folk-pop artist and Miss Universe Sweden 2026, and Marcus Mason-Williams, an autistic artist, animator, and illustrator from the United Kingdom. Through their individual perspectives and creative expressions, ambassadors are helping spread the message that the horse-human connection is worth celebrating and sharing.

An Industry-Wide Celebration

HORSETOBER is produced by Horses for Mental Health in collaboration with sponsors and industry partners spanning equestrian sport, horse welfare and aftercare, research, education, media, and equine-assisted services. Together, these organizations are helping advance HMH’s vision of building the largest annual celebration of the horse-human connection.

2026 HORSETOBER™ Sponsors

Chewy Equine, GGT Footing, Purina, Snaffles, and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

2026 HORSETOBER™ Industry Partners

A Home for Every Horse, American Horse Council, American Paint Horse Foundation, American Psychological Association’s Section on Human-Animal Interaction (APA/HAI), American Wild Horse Conservation, Arenas For Change (ARCH), ASPCA Right Horse, Black in the Saddle, EQUUS Film & Arts, EQUUS Foundation, Equine Assisted Therapy Australia (EATA), EquuStyle Magazine, HorseGrooms, Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA), Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations (IAHAIO), Kansas Horse Council, Long Ride Home, National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA), Natural Lifemanship, New Trails Learning Systems, PATH International, Polyvagal Equine Institute, Pony Club, Rescued Hearts, Rural Minds, Temple Grandin Equine Center (CSU), Texas A&M Institute for Equine Sciences, The Equine Assisted and Facilitated Practitioners Network (EAFPN), The HERD Institute, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), US Equestrian Federation, Veterans K9Equine Alliance, and Virginia Partnership for Horses.

As HORSETOBER™ continues through October 31, everyone is invited to join the movement, share their stories, and help spread awareness of the meaningful connections between horses and people.

Horses for Mental Health is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding the role of horses in mental health and wellbeing. Through awareness campaigns, advocacy, and partnerships, HMH works to increase understanding of the impact horses can have on people’s lives and expand awareness and access to professional programs incorporating horses into mental health services. HMH supports a growing community of more than 130 Program Partners offering mental health programs with horses.

Learn more at horsesformentalhealth.org.

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HORSETOBER continues through October 31, everyone is invited to join the movement, share their stories, and help spread awareness of the meaningful connections between horses and people.